SC rules that it “cannot go into sentiment” and dismisses Manipur’s contempt case

A plea alleging contempt against Manipur and others for allegedly disobeying the top court’s directive protecting the belongings of those who were displaced during the conflict was denied by the Supreme Court on Friday. It said that it must act in compliance with the law and could not act based on feelings.

The claim that a case of contempt was made out against the respondents, including the chief secretary of Manipur, and that the petitioners can pursue any available legal remedies was rejected by a two-judge vacation bench presided over by Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal.

The Manipur government’s highest legal official, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, informed the bench that no case of contempt had been established. She also said unequivocally that the Center and the state government were actively addressing public issues on the ground.

“It’s very unfortunate that the effort is being made to keep the pot boiling,” Bhati said, adding that the state has a responsibility to safeguard everyone and could provide an updated status report on the matter.

The highest court was considering a petition alleging that the respondents had disregarded its ruling from September 25 of last year, which protected the properties of those who had been displaced due to ethnic strife.

“Who are the people in contempt, in your opinion?” The petitioner’s attorney said that the chief secretary and others are when the bench questioned him.

The two-judge panel declared, “They are not the encroachers.”

Moreover, on the high court

U.K. High Court’s relocation order was upheld

The Uttarakhand High Court’s May 8 ruling ordering the state to locate the present High Court at Nainital to another location inside the state was delayed by the Supreme Court on Monday. The Chief Secretary was instructed by the HC to locate the High Court at a different site.